Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI)

Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) LEDI’s is located in Cleveland, Ohio, Atlanta, Georgia and throughout Liberia, West Africa.

Our vision is to establish and promote meaningful social and economic development in order to empower the poor and disadvantaged people of Liberia. Reducing poverty, changing lives… is not just our motto, it is the heart of our mission. Whether we are empowering youth, providing small business loans, promoting health and safety, building infrastructure, or alleviating the sufferings of rural and u

rban poor and low income household, our central focus remains to reduce poverty, thereby positively changing the lives of members of the nearly two-third Liberian population living below the poverty line.

Combating hunger and food insecurity will require both innovation and collaboration. While traditional agriculture remai...
06/03/2026

Combating hunger and food insecurity will require both innovation and collaboration. While traditional agriculture remains essential, emerging technologies such as aquaponics can play a powerful role in creating sustainable, local food systems.

That is why LEDI was honored to be invited to attend the launch of the Forever Young Aquaponics greenhouse initiative in Jonesboro, Georgia, led by Ambassador Andrew Young and the Andrew J. Young Foundation.

This groundbreaking project could be a model for addressing food insecurity, creating jobs, advancing workforce development, and demonstrating how sustainable agriculture can produce more food with fewer resources.

The facility is expected to produce thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables and fish while serving as a training and innovation center for future generations.

At LEDI, we believe that reducing poverty requires practical, scalable solutions that strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity. The vision behind Forever Young Aquaponics aligns closely with our mission to empower people through sustainable development, education, and economic growth.

We look forward to learning more about aquaponics and exploring how innovative approaches like this can complement traditional agriculture our ongoing work to fight hunger, reduce poverty, and transform lives.

Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) is thrilled to be recognized as the 2026 Recipient of the Community Devel...
05/02/2026

Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) is thrilled to be recognized as the 2026 Recipient of the Community Development & Literacy Impact Award by the Liberian Assiciation of Metropolitan Atlanta (Lama Georgia).

LAMA HIGHLIGHT:
​Rufus and Joan Darkortey are the husband-and-wife team who established the Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) in 2007. Their dedicated work focuses on reducing poverty in Liberia through scholarships, infrastructure, and life-changing education.

​To date, they have awarded over 700 scholarships and are currently pioneering the construction of Liberia’s first modern public library. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of LAMA, we are proud to honor their excellence and the lasting impact they bring to the Liberian community.

JOIN US:
​✨ Join us for an evening of elegance, culture, and community pride.
​🔗 GET TICKETS NOW
​Website: liberianassociation.org
​Eventbrite: lama50.eventbrite.com
​📍 Location: Grand Palais Banquet Hall, Lawrenceville, GA
👗 Dress Code: Formal • Cultural • Elegant
🎶 Featuring: Live Music, Guest Speakers, and Traditional Dance

12/26/2025

Your support makes a difference!
Through your support and donations, LEDI is giving hope, literacy, and a brighter future to children!

Thank you, Friends of Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI)…the Children’s Christmas Party and Community Feeding was a huge success because of you!

Season’s greetings to you and yours! Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) would like to take a moment to expre...
12/19/2025

Season’s greetings to you and yours! Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) would like to take a moment to express our sincere thanks to you and all LEDI volunteers worldwide, especially our phenomenal LEDI Gala Planning Team. Your dedication fuels our mission “to reduce poverty and change lives” and makes our impact even greater!

12/12/2025

The next installment of the LEDI International Life Changer Honoree Spotlight Video Series continues with Mrs. Monica Kaufman Pearson, 2025 Host, Mistress of Ceremony and Honoree. She is a beloved media icon, Emmy Award-winning journalist and Atlanta’s first woman and minority evening news anchor.

For decades, Monica has been a trusted voice in our homes and a champion for community service and empowerment. With more than 30 Emmy Awards and a legacy of breaking barriers, she is not only a broadcaster, but a trailblazer, mentor, civic, and servant leader whose story has inspired millions. Her presence at the 2025 LEDI Gala was a special and wonderful gift, one we were so grateful to share with you!

We are forever grateful to you, Mrs. Monica Kaufman Pearson, for your vision, service, and unwavering commitment to building strong, vibrant communities. Your community impact inspires LEDI’s work, which includes the development of LEDI’s modern, state-of-the-art public library and technology center, an investment that will transform opportunities for children and families for generations to come.

To learn more about LEDI and support, visit www.ledinow.org.

Please click here to watch Monica Kaufman Pearson ’s 2025 LEDI International Life Changer Honoree spotlight video:

Video credits: WSBTV

11/28/2025

Your support is changing lives in 2025!

We are thrilled to debut our featured 2024-2025 LEDI Mission Video, a powerful real-world video of impact we achieved together to "reduce poverty and change lives."

Please Watch and share! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obv5U9o__l0

A Special Thank You to Our 2025 Friends of LEDI Donors and Impact Partners!!

Please donate today: http://spot.fund/ddj7h56sc

Help us continue this movement. Be part of the change. Donate today!

11/26/2025

Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) is please to share the next installment of the LEDI International Life Changer Honoree Spotlight Video Series. Today, we recognize Mr. Egbert Perry , 2025 LEDI honoree, a visionary business executive and community builder whose work has shaped cities and strengthened families for decades.

As Chairman and CEO of Integral, the nationally recognized urban development firm he co-founded in 1993, Mr. Perry helped pioneer the mixed-use, mixed-income development model now known across the country as the Atlanta Model. Under his leadership, Integral delivered thousands of housing units and drove holistic revitalization efforts, most notably Centennial Place, designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the National Model for community transformation.

His influence extends well beyond city development. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Mr. Perry served on the board of Fannie Mae, later becoming its chairman and helping guide one of the nation’s most essential financial institutions through a period of profound change.

At the 2025 LEDI Gala, Mr. Perry shared thoughtful reflections on leadership, community strength, and the values that define meaningful development. His insights underscored LEDI’s mission and the powerful impact that education and opportunity can have on families and communities. He reminded us that true service lies in doing the work, not seeking recognition. His message affirmed the importance of organizations like LEDI that help close gaps in opportunity, access, and dignity.

Thank you, Mr. Perry, for your vision, service, and unwavering commitment to building strong, vibrant communities. Your work inspires LEDI’s work, which includes the development of LEDI’s modern, state-of-the-art public library and technology center, an investment that will transform opportunities for children and families for generations to come.

To learn more about LEDI and support, visit www.ledinow.org.

Please click here to watch Egbert Perry’s 2025 LEDI International Life Changer Honoree spotlight video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zPhhoALE8sU

11/18/2025

Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) is honored to highlight Judge Glenda Hatchett, as a part of the LEDI Honoree Spotlight Video Series.

Judge Hatchett is one of the nation’s most respected voices in justice, youth advocacy, and community leadership. Her distinguished career includes serving as Chief Presiding Judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court and reaching millions through her acclaimed television shows, the Judge Hatchett Show and The Verdict.

Judge Hatchett has devoted her life to advancing fairness, protecting children and families, and inspiring future leaders. Her work reflects the compassion, courage, and commitment to service that guide our mission at LEDI.

Thank you, Judge Hatchett, for your leadership, your lifelong service, and the powerful example you continue to set for communities everywhere.

We hope this story uplifts you and encourages your continued support of our shared work, including the construction of the LEDI modern state-of-the-art public library and technology center that will transform opportunities for children and families.

To learn more about LEDI and support, visit www.ledinow.org.

Please click here to watch her 2025 LEDI International Life Changer Honoree spotlight video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g-xG3hkT0Fs

11/18/2025

The LEDI Honoree Spotlight Video Series continues with Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia and one of the leading scholars of our time. She became the 16th president of the University in January 2025, the first African American woman to lead the institution in the last 68 years. Her leadership is guiding the university through a historic period of transformation focused on innovation, digitization, research, student success, and academic excellence.

Dr. Maparyan is a developmental psychologist and internationally respected voice on womanism. She has dedicated her career to advancing education, empowerment, and justice. Before her presidency, she served as Executive Director of the Wellesley Centers for Women and Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College. She is the author of several groundbreaking works on womanism and has led major global initiatives supporting women, girls, and community advancement.

At the 2025 LEDI Gala, Dr. Maparyan reminded the audience that Liberia stands at a crossroads and that the nation’s progress depends on a shared vision for education and equality. She praised LEDI for our forward-looking work and pledged her support through a partnership with the University of Liberia, aligned with its strategic transformation.

Thank you, Dr. Maparyan, for your leadership, your scholarship, and your commitment to building stronger institutions. Your example continues to inspire our mission.

We hope this story of Dr. Maparyan uplifts you and encourages your continued support of our shared work, including the construction of the LEDI modern state-of-the-art public library and technology center that will transform opportunities for children and families.

Join us in finishing strong. Learn more at www.ledinow.org. Donate today through Facebook or at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XJ3YHBYK7Q488

11/15/2025

We are honored to partner with the Elite School of Etiquette, who selected participants from the Mr. & Ms. Junior Cotillion, Prentice and Shia, along with our son, Rufus Jr., to perform the skit “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” at the 10th Annual LEDI International Life Changer Awards Gala on October 25, 2025.

This collaboration provided an incredible platform for young people to showcase their skills and talents while demonstrating poise, confidence, and a commitment to community service.

As a valued partner under LEDI’s Youth Empowerment Initiative, we look forward to continued collaboration with Ms. Carol Rey and the Elite School of Etiquette. The future is bright, and together we will continue creating meaningful opportunities for youth to shine!

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Cleveland, OH
44114

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